The Blank White Page by Ali Spooner

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

I stared down at the memorandum on company letterhead in disbelief. I secretly hoped I was having a nightmare, refusing to wake up to my everyday reality. My father, Charles Chastain, Sr., had set a meeting for my younger brother, Charlie, and me to discuss his “Sundown Plan,” as he called it. Charlie had always been a daddy’s boy, being the only male child, and naturally assumed that once Father retired, he would automatically step into the company’s chief executive officer role. Charlie was four years younger than me and held the position of chief financial officer. He had skated through college, passed his CPA certification, and was a shoo-in for the position a few years after joining the firm. Charlie excelled at his subordinates maintaining the workload and was strictly a numbers person.

I completed an MBA at a prestigious Ivy League school and was at the top of my class. A complete opposite of Charlie, I was a people person and the closer on the majority of our most significant real estate transactions. He could work the numbers, but he couldn’t work the people. As the chief operating officer, I kept the business growing, and established the relationships and groundwork for repeat customers. Chastain International was one of the fastest-growing brokerages in the United States and several European countries.

I looked at Charlie, and it was apparent that our father’s plan details were just as shocking to Charlie. His face blanched white at the first competition Father arranged for us. I reread the first statement and looked up at my father. It stated, “The first task I place before you is a test of your resilience and creativity.” I was comfortable with that statement and continued to read.

“My children, you have served the organization well and brought exceptional skills to the company. It has become difficult to select my successor based on your performance in the office. You both excel in your areas of expertise. I have decided to look outside the box and challenge you to a competition that will allow you to demonstrate the skills necessary to take Chastain International to the next level as a corporation.”

“What the fuck?” I heard Charlie mumble. “You want us to do what?” Charlie asked for clarification.

“My instructions should be relatively straightforward. Each of you will be delivered to a primitive location, Tatum in Alaska, and you in Canada, to survive for six months. You will be supplied with the bare necessities to survive and are expected to use your skills to find creative ways to thrive in this environment. I will continue paying your salaries during your absence, but you will have little access to those funds where you will be living.”

“Six months, really, Dad?” Charlie complained. “This isn’t like sending us off to summer camp.”

Fortunately, I remained quiet and allowed Charlie to dig his hole a bit deeper.

“This test will be the farthest thing you could imagine from a summer camp. You will have staple food supplies, protection, transportation equipment, and a satellite phone only for emergencies or to order supply drops. Or to call me if you want to tap out,” he said, glaring at Charlie. “If you can’t survive six months with nothing but your instincts and creativity, you surely won’t thrive in running this company.”

I continued reading while Charlie continued moaning.

“We will leave in thirty days?” I asked.

“That’s correct. That should allow you time to get your affairs in order here and to prepare for life in the wilderness. I will provide more detailed information about your living arrangements and basic supplies tomorrow after this has more time to sink in. You will be within a day’s travel of a small town or village that can be utilized to resupply your needs. However, this must be done by land or water before winter arrives. Afterward, supplies are only delivered by bush plane once a month. You will be expected to hunt, fish, and forage for your food.”

“At least you won’t leave a fiancée behind,” Charlie growled at me.

“I’m sure Carol can survive without you for six months,” I said.

“Tatum’s right. You shouldn’t marry her if she can’t support you through this adventure.”

“If we choose not to participate?” Charlie asked.

“I am prepared to cast a search net for someone suitable to run the company after I retire,” Charles stated.

I nearly laughed when I saw Charlie’s face go from white to green. I hadn’t realized how whiny he was when challenged. He must have noticed the smirk on my face. “This is right up your dyke alley. Was this your idea?”

“I am as surprised as you.”

“I’ve been thinking about this for months. If you have a suitable challenge to test your fortitude, I will entertain it, Charlie, but your clock is ticking.”

All Charlie could do was shake his head.

“I suggest you learn how to survive during these next thirty days. You have much to discover about living in primitive conditions through the winter.”

I nodded to him. “Is there anything else you want to share with us today?”

Charles chuckled and shook his head. “No, I believe I have shocked you enough for one day.”

“It certainly wasn’t the meeting I was expecting,” I said with a smile.

“We will meet tomorrow morning again,” Charles said and left.

“What the fuck,” Charlie growled, and stormed from the conference room.

 

†

 

I returned to my office and poured coffee before going to my desk. “You have certainly rocked the boat on this one, Dad.”

My fingers flew across the keyboard as I searched for books and manuals for surviving winter in Alaska. I had done primitive camping with an ex, but I suspected this would be far more challenging than I had ever experienced. I printed off lists of gear and supplies I would need to compare to the list Dad would provide. This should give me an idea of what I needed to transport and what to purchase once arriving in Alaska. Bills were already arranged for auto payment, so that wouldn’t be an issue.

“Alaska,” I said as I rocked back in my chair. Dad had come up with a great test, but I wasn’t sure either of us would complete the challenge. “All I can do is give it my best.”

I had been an athlete in high school and college and had received the nickname Tate. It was the one thing Dad hated worse than Mom giving me the name Tatum. He had pushed for Charleen, but Mom had insisted on her maiden name. He managed to call me Tatum, but Tate would never pass his lips. I smiled at the thought of him realizing his daughter might end up showing more balls than his namesake. I could imagine Charlie grumbling to Carol about how unfairly Dad treated him.

While I loved my brother, I didn’t approve of his taking the reins from Dad. He was excellent in finance but lacked Dad’s leadership in running the company. I worried some top staff would jump ship if Charlie was appointed CEO. I took a sip of coffee and stared at the screen. A video of Alaska in the winter was playing across my screen. It was beautiful, but I knew there would be all kinds of hidden dangers to overcome. Could I do this?

 

†

 

I stopped for Chinese take-out on my way home and continued my research. I scanned the list of supplies I had printed earlier and knew that clothing would not be provided. My search started with footwear, and I researched several waterproof boots. Thick wool socks would also be a must. Jeans and thermal underwear made it to my list, with a half-dozen flannel shirts and several pairs of insulated coveralls. Outerwear would need to be rated for below-zero conditions, so I checked the equipment closely to ensure I chose the right weight and fit.

It was late into the night when my eyes started to cross from reading the computer screen, and I decided to call it a night. Tomorrow was Friday, so I could spend the entire weekend researching once I found what region I was heading into. As I lay in bed, my mind whirled with ideas. I probably should have felt terrified, but a part of me was excited about this adventure. Life in the city had become routine, and time in the secluded wilderness would allow me to contemplate where my life was going. I enjoyed and excelled in my career, but my heart longed for more. The problem was in not knowing what that “more” entailed. Twelve to fourteen hours a day and being at the company’s whim made a stable relationship impossible. Also, traveling to Europe on short notice wasn’t uncommon, sometimes for extended periods. Six months might seem an eternity, but I wasn’t sure it would be long enough to sort out my future.